Eco-Friendly, Budget-Savvy Picnicking

Columnist - Chelsea Ehrke

I’m all about saving money on everything from clothes to dates, so it’s common for my fiancé and I to forego the typical dinner-and-a-movie in favor of lunch at the beach or a hiking excursion. Even on cost-cutting excursions like these, however, there are a number of ways that people tend to waste money and resources. Here are a few tips to help keep picnicking a low-cost, low-impact activity.

Make Your Own Meals

My first time to the famous Hollywood Bowl was unforgettable. A couple I knew shared box seat tickets with us to enjoy the symphony under the stars. We were treated with valet parking, backstage passes, the works. Better yet, the Hollywood Bowl allows guests to bring in their OWN food! A concert and a picnic? Heaven. I was still reeling from the VIP-ness of it all when my friend started pulling tuna tartar, caviar, foie gras and crème fraiche out of her giant tote.

Turns out, Hollywood’s caught on to the whole “music under the stars” thing and capitalized on it big time, with gourmet to-go baskets at shops around town running as much as $70 per person. Yikes.

Most of us don’t spend much time in the glitz of Hollywood and certainly wouldn’t dream of grabbing a hundred-dollar goody basket on our way to an outdoor concert. Many people do, however, waste money on store-bought to-go meals when they could easily whip something up at home. A macaroni salad or a single sandwich at the deli costs about $5 or $6 each. Make food at home, and you can feed your whole family for the price of just one deli item.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Another benefit to making picnics at home is the reduction in packaging materials. Picnic items at the store are usually individually wrapped with bags or throw-away plastic containers. When you prepare food at home, you can bring your meals in a reusable container with washable forks, knives, and cloth napkins. You also have the added benefit of carrying your picnic food in a chilled soft cooler or wicker basket instead of a grocery bag.

Don’t Forget Dessert

Even plan-ahead perfectionists have a tendency to forget to pack dessert and are likely to grab something at a bakery on the way. Consider baking cookies or cake ahead of time at a fraction of the cost.

Drink Up

Instead of grabbing some soft drinks or bottled waters at the convenience store on your way out, consider investing in refillable Nalgene bottles. If you’re a serious hiker, a Camel Pack is the most efficient way to carry a lot of water and stay hydrated. If you really need to grab something at the store in a rush, choose glass containers that can be refilled or recycled. Picnics have long been the go-to activity for people looking to save money and minimize their impact on the environment. Better yet, they’re the perfect way to get out and see more of your town while spending time with loved ones.

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